Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is one of the earliest body contouring procedures described. It involves creation of a horizontal incision low in the abdomen, in the same location of a C-section scar, dissection of the abdominal wall (or "panniculus") to the ribcage level, and then removing the excess tissue preserving the umbilicus in the process. This is a very popular procedure largely because loose excess skin with unwanted stretch-marks is very common in women who have borne children. The surgical incision can be tailored such as to follow anatomical contours and be less obvious, as well as shorter in overall length. I commonly perform this procedure with a gynecologist at the same time as the patient is having a hysterectomy, or other "female surgery", to save her an additional anesthesia and hospitalization.
